Chinese Meth Manufacturer Confesses Links to Imperial Pacific International
If a man's account of his experiences with Imperial Pacific International (IPI) is to be believed, the company powering Saipan's shuttered Imperial Palace casino was prepared to collaborate with anyone if it meant attracting gamblers. According to a report in The Guam Daily Post, a drug dealer says that IPI offered to include him in the casino as a VIP operator.
Liang Yang, a Chinese citizen, is facing trial in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for distributing liquid methamphetamine. During his time in court, his connection to IPI surfaced.
He claims to have received an invitation to establish operations in Saipan and usher VIP casino visitors to the Imperial Palace. This supposedly happened around 2017 and Yang made five visits to the CNMI between then and January 2019. The casino ceased operations a year later.
The Lava Lamp Scheme in Saipan
Yang first encountered the CNMI judicial system on September 23. It was then that a standard customs search uncovered 10 pounds of liquid meth concealed within four lava lamps mailed to the region.
Following the discovery, a probe was launched, leading to Yang's capture and a business partner known only as "BT." BT is recognized as a drug trafficker and Yang confessed to being assigned to accept the lava lamps. Despite BT's continued absence, he still manages to evade capture.
Yang's apprehension opened the door for further investigation, which ultimately implicated IPI in the case. The exact details of how they connected remain unclear. However, Yang claimed that IPI had invited him to Saipan to recruit high-stakes gamblers for the casino. This implies that someone at IPI was familiar with Yang from his time in China.
While he apparently followed IPI's initial request, Yang also branched out into other endeavors. He is said to have obtained a driver's license, despite being in the CNMI illegally, and started a tourist shuttle service of his own.
In a recent court appearance, Yang entered a not-guilty plea. His trial by jury is set to start on December 5.
IPI's Continued Struggles in Saipan
Since its inception, IPI has faced one challenge after another in Saipan, and the Imperial Palace resort has yet to see the light of day. The situation has only worsened as bills and fines have mounted and no revenue seems to be forthcoming.
The company, which recently reorganized its executive team, is indebted to the CNMI government and private entities to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. It has refused to pay a significant debt to Kan Pacific Saipan and its refusal to settle the $697,801 balance will further harm the Imperial Palace.
In their previous agreement, IPI had consented to buy out Kan Pacific in exchange for exclusive control over gambling operations. During the first year, IPI fulfilled its side of the bargain. However, no more funds arrived after that.
Kan Pacific filed a legal petition, requesting the right to seize Imperial Palace assets to cover the owed amount. A judge has granted the petition, meaning the company can now seize and auction off anything within the casino to recoup their losses.
This is only one of several court rulings that have resulted in IPI's assets being taken, implying that the Imperial Palace will soon resemble a ghost town rather than a functioning casino.
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Source: www.casino.org
